The thing about a lace skirt that nobody mentions in the shop is where the lining ends up after a few wears. If it's cut even slightly short of the lace itself, you get a visible line at the knee or a gap at the waistband where the two layers shift at different speeds when you sit down. You want the lining built to the same hem, sewn in properly rather than just a slip you're meant to wear underneath, because a separate slip rides up under tights by lunchtime and there's no fixing that in a meeting.
Colour wise, the easiest lace to live with is the kind where the lace and the lining are close in tone rather than fighting each other, so the pattern reads as texture rather than a graphic print sitting on top of fabric. A navy lace over navy lining, or a soft camel over a slightly darker nude, wears for years because it doesn't date the way a stark white on black floral does. Black on black is the safest of the lot and also the one that photographs as nothing more exciting than a plain skirt from a distance, which is sometimes exactly what you want. Bright lace over contrasting lining looks lovely on the hanger and tends to get worn twice.
For pairing, a lace skirt wants plain company. A fine knit jumper tucked in, a simple shirt, a plain t-shirt in warmer months, anything with its own pattern or heavy texture turns the whole outfit busy. It's also one of the few skirts that takes flat boots and trainers as well as it takes heels, which makes it earn more days in rotation than it looks like it should.
On fit, check the waistband sits where it says it sits rather than where the lace pattern happens to stop, because some are cut so the waist seam lands right on a lace motif and you end up with an odd bulge of pattern at the hip on one side and not the other. Go with your usual size in the lining measurement, not the lace, since the lace itself often has a tiny bit of give that the lining doesn't share. Watch the back for shortening when you sit, a flaw more common in cheaper cuts where the lining is cut generously but the overheard lace isn't.
Lace holds up well if you wash it on a cool cycle inside a bag and let it dry flat, it loses shape fast on a hot radiator. It softens with wear rather than wearing out, which is rare.
Put one on with a jumper you already reach for constantly and it stops looking like your work outfit.
Yellow Lace Skirts That Have Caught Our Eye
Wrap SkirtsThe Wrap Lace Skirts We Swear By
Work Lace Skirts for Monday to Friday
White SkirtsThe White Satin Lace Skirts Your Wardrobe Is Missing
Pleated SkirtsWhite Pleated Lace Skirts Worth a Closer Look
White SkirtsWhite Midi Lace Skirts We’d Happily Wear on Repeat
White SkirtsThe White Mini Lace Skirts We Keep Going Back To
White SkirtsThe White Maxi Lace Skirts We Keep Going Back To
Tiered SkirtsWhite Lace Tiered Skirts We’ve Been SavingAlso worth a lookMidi SkirtsThe real tell on a midi skirt isn't how it looks in the mirror on day one, it's…See the collections →
Pleated SkirtsThe Edit: White Lace Pleated Skirts
White SkirtsWhite Lace Skirts That Fit and Flatter
White SkirtsStandout White Lace Maxi Skirts to Shop
White SkirtsWhite Lace Mini Skirts to Build Outfits Around
White SkirtsOur Go To White Denim Lace Skirts
The Wedding Guest Lace Skirts Worth Your Wardrobe Space
Tulle Lace Skirts: Our Honest Shortlist
Tiered SkirtsThe Tiered Lace Skirts We Swear By
Tall Lace Skirts on Our RadarAlso worth a lookBlack SkirtsThe first black skirt I owned came from a supermarket clothing rail, a stretchy jersey thing with a…See the collections →
The Only Suede Lace Skirts You Need to See
Split Lace Skirts You’ll Wear Week After Week
Midi SkirtsSilver Lace Midi Skirts: What We’d Buy Now
Silver Lace Skirts: What We’d Buy Now
Sequin SkirtsThe Sequin Lace Skirts Worth Your Wardrobe Space
Satin SkirtsSatin Lace Skirts That Work From Desk to Dinner
Chiffon SkirtsSage Chiffon Lace Skirts We Can’t Stop Looking At
Midi SkirtsOur Pick of the Best Sage Lace Midi Skirts
Sage Lace Skirts That Tick Every BoxAlso worth a lookMini SkirtsA mini skirt only works if you've decided in advance what you're doing in it, because the length…See the collections →
Midi SkirtsSage Midi Lace Skirts That Tick Every Box
Ruffle Lace Skirts That Make Dressing Easy
Our Shortlist of Ruched Lace Skirts
Red SkirtsThe Only Red Mini Lace Skirts You Need to See
Red SkirtsThe Red Lace Pleated Skirts We Keep Going Back To
Red SkirtsRed Lace Satin Skirts That Earn Their Place
Red SkirtsThe Red Lace Skirts We’re Eyeing Up This Season
The Purple Lace Skirts We Swear By
